Medium early potato variety with high yield "Santa"

Mid-early potatoes are characterized by the ideal combination of high yield and pleasant taste. Among the large number of such varieties, Sante occupies a special place. Its distinguishing feature is its unpretentiousness and the possibility of cultivation in almost all Russian regions.

Before planting this popular variety, it is worth learning about the features of its cultivation and the requirements for agricultural technology.

Description of the variety

This is a medium early table variety of Dutch breeding.... It was added to the State Register in 1993. The ripening period from the moment of planting is 85-90 days. Differs in good productivity and pleasant taste.

The peculiarity of the chemical composition is the low proportion of starch in tubers (only about 14%). The variety is rich in vitamin C, trace elements and amino acids. When cooking, the tubers of the variety do not boil over, therefore they are suitable for frying, fries, and also chips.

Productivity is fixed up to 500 kg / ha... The variety is immune to most diseases and pests, but prone to scab and late blight.

One the bush can produce up to 20 round or oval-round potatoes... Tuber weight reaches 150 g.

The appearance of Santa's potatoes:

• thin yellowish peel;
• there are many eyes, but they are shallow, located superficially;
• on the cut, the tubers are yellowish.

Potatoes are undemanding to growing conditions... He loves warmth, but does not tolerate drought. Recommended for growing in regions with warm, but not dry summers. Optimally suited for the Central, Volgo-Vyatka, Ural, North-West, Far Eastern regions.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The obvious advantages of the Sante varietythat made it popular:

• high productivity;
• high percentage of keeping quality;
• great taste;
• good presentation and safety during transportation;
• resistance to rot and nematodes;
• practically unaffected by wireworm damage.

But the variety also has disadvantages.:

• does not tolerate frost;
• gives a low yield in cold summers;
• has an average resistance to diseases affecting leaves.

Subject to the rules of agricultural technology and suitable weather the main difference of this variety from analogues is manifested - increased yield and presentation.

Features of planting and growing

First step - preparation of seed and soil for planting.

Manure must be added to the soil - a source of potassium. Additionally, the land is fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers. This will stimulate root and stem development. The place for planting Sante potatoes is chosen dry, well-lit. The soil is recommended to be loose and fertile.

Optimal potato precursors:

• cabbage;
• cucumbers;
• pumpkin;
• zucchini;
• legumes.

After peppers, eggplants and tomatoes, you should not plant potatoesas they are affected by common pests and diseases.

Site preparation begins in the fall... This process includes:

• digging;
• removal of weeds and stones;
• application of mineral fertilizers.

In the spring, before planting, the site needs to be dug again and remove the emerging weeds.

Important! Sante is a thermophilic variety, and therefore, when determining the timing of planting, it is taken into account that the air temperature during the day should be at least 14 ° C. Night frosts can ruin the planting. It is optimal if the soil warms up 10 cm deep. In Russia, this variety is most often planted after the May holidays.

Small seed material is selected for planting, about the size of a chicken egg. Potatoes that are too small, which are usually left for seed, lead to lower yields.

Before planting, Sante is germinated for 3-4 weeks.... So you can get early and friendly shoots. For germination, potatoes are raised from storage sites into a bright room with an air temperature of 15 ° C. The sprouts before planting should not be more than 0.5 cm, otherwise they will break off when moved.

Potatoes are planted Sante at a distance of 35-40 cm from each other, because it has a developed root system. The row spacing is 50-60 cm. This gives a soil reserve when hilling, and the bushes themselves will not obscure the light. In dense clayey soils, Sante is planted in prepared ridges to a depth of 5 cm.If the soil is sandy, the planting depth is 13-15 cm.

The nuances of care

The variety loves regular watering, but dry soil before the first hilling contributes to the development of the root system... Too much water will wash away all the nutrients deep into the soil. Therefore, when watering, you should not spill the soil more than 40 cm.

After hilling, the soil is kept moist to form strong and even tubers. To maintain moisture, it is recommended to mulch the crops.

To get a good harvest regularly carry out feeding, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. You should not apply manure too often, since an excess of nitrogen leads to active growth of the green part of the bush with a decrease in yield. After planting, humus is introduced with the addition of carbamide. During budding - potassium sulfate and wood ash. During flowering - "Superphosphate".

Mandatory agrotechnical measures are weeding and hilling. With the help of hilling, it is possible to saturate the soil with oxygen. This is especially important if potatoes are growing in dense soil. Hilling is necessary to increase the volume of the root system and the yield.

The first time they spud the bushes when their growth is 10-15 cm, the second time after 3 weeks. It is better to carry out the procedure in the evening, since the leaves of the potato are vertical and more difficult to fall asleep.

Disease and pest control

To preserve the harvest, it is necessary to recognize pests and the first signs of diseases in time.... For prevention, potatoes are treated with fungicides from fungi before planting.

Colorado beetles hand picking helpsas well as special chemical traps made from potatoes. Treatment with special preparations will not hurt either. The best remedy for the fight against the Colorado potato beetle is Intavir. Since this insect can sleep in the soil for several years, you should not plant potatoes in the same place earlier than 3 years later.

Against the wireworm autumn planting of mustard helps in the area where potatoes will be planted in spring. It is recommended to add Bazudin to the holes before planting.

For the prevention of disease, black leg before planting, the tubers are treated with Fitosporin-M. To prevent scab - Agat-25.

Growing difficulties

The main difficulty in growing this variety is cold summers or residual frosts.... The variety belongs to heat-loving crops and reduces yield when it gets cold.

In all other respects, Sante is considered unpretentious, therefore it is suitable for growing in private households and large agricultural firms.

Harvesting and storage

Optimal harvest time - when dry sunny weather was established and all the bushes withered. If the weather is humid, after harvesting, the tubers should be laid out to dry for several hours.

Sante potatoes are best stored in plastic or wooden containers at a temperature of + 2 ... + 5 ° С. The keeping quality indicator for this variety is 92%, which distinguishes it from others. Humidity in storage areas should not exceed 70%.

Tips from experienced gardeners

Growing tips from experienced gardeners:

• when planting, choose unshaded, well-lit places;
• harrow twice per season;
• choose light and oxygenated soils;
• start harvesting 80 days after planting.

Reviews of the variety Santa

Gardeners respond positively to the Sante variety, noting the ease of care.

Maxim Lvovich, Pskov: “I have been growing Sante potatoes for 5 years. Productivity is high, 16-18 tubers per bush. The main thing is not to plant too early - it is bad for even light frosts. I usually plant closer to May 20 ".

Peter, Tver: “For the last 2 years I have been growing Sante potatoes on my farm plot for sale. It has an excellent presentation and does not deteriorate during transportation. A photo of Santa potatoes and a description of the variety correspond to reality. I get a beautiful, even harvest. I use insecticides against colorado. It is better to water the plantings regularly, especially in hot summer - the variety does not tolerate drought ".

Conclusion

Sante potatoes, like all mid-early varieties, are popular with gardeners and farmers. It is distinguished by increased productivity, unpretentious care and a high keeping rate. The commercial qualities of tubers do not change for several months after harvest.